When Grief Feels Too Heavy to Carry Alone

Grief is something every human being will experience, yet when it arrives, it can feel deeply isolating. We are often told to “be strong,” to “move on,” or to “let go.” These messages can make us feel like there’s a right or wrong way to grieve, when in reality, grief is a natural response to loss that looks different for everyone.

Many people never consider grief therapy. They may assume therapy is only for mental illness, or that seeking help means they aren’t coping well enough on their own. But grief therapy isn’t about fixing or rushing you—it’s about offering a compassionate space where your story is heard, your feelings are understood, and your grief is honored.

At Authentic Living London, we believe grief is not something to cure, but something to carry together. If you’ve been holding your grief alone, you may find that therapy provides a kind of support you didn’t realize was possible.

What Grief Really Looks Like

When most people think of grief, they picture deep sadness after the death of a loved one. While that is one of the most common experiences, grief actually shows up in many different forms.

Grief can come from:

• The death of a partner, parent, child, or friend

• The end of a marriage or significant relationship

• A serious illness that changes the future you imagined

• Retirement or job loss that shifts your sense of identity

• Moving away from a community or place you loved

• The loss of dreams, routines, or stages of life

Grief can feel like sadness, but it can also feel like anger, guilt, numbness, anxiety, or even physical pain. Some people notice fatigue, sleep problems, or difficulty concentrating. Others describe grief as a fog that makes daily life harder.

There is no single timeline for grief. For some, the pain softens with time. For others, it comes in waves: strong one day, quiet the next, only to resurface unexpectedly. None of this means you are grieving the “wrong” way. It simply means you are human.

Common Myths About Grief

Part of what makes grief so heavy is the pressure from cultural myths. Here are a few of the most common ones:

Myth 1: “Time heals all wounds.”

Time alone doesn’t heal grief. What matters is how we use that time, whether we have space to talk about our loss, honor our memories, and find ways to live with grief.

Myth 2: “You should be over it by now.”

Grief has no expiration date. Even years later, certain reminders can stir feelings of loss. Therapy can help you learn how to carry grief in a way that feels less overwhelming.

Myth 3: “If you’re strong, you don’t need help.”

Strength isn’t about doing everything alone. Sometimes true strength means reaching out for support, especially when life feels too heavy.

Myth 4: “Grief only happens after death.”

Loss comes in many forms. The end of a relationship, a major life change, or even a lost sense of identity can bring real grief that deserves to be acknowledged.

Signs You Might Benefit from Grief Therapy

You don’t have to be in crisis to seek grief therapy. Many people come simply because they need a safe place to talk about what they’re carrying. Still, here are some signs grief therapy may be especially helpful:

• You feel stuck or weighed down by your grief

• You’re experiencing ongoing sadness, guilt, or anger that feels hard to manage

• Others have stopped asking how you’re doing, but your grief still feels present

• You’re withdrawing from people or activities you once enjoyed

• Your grief feels too private to share with friends or family

• You’re struggling with sleep, appetite, or concentration

• You want support in finding a way forward while still honoring your loss

Even if none of these fit perfectly, therapy can still help. Sometimes people come simply because they want someone to listen without judgment.

What Happens in Grief Therapy?

If you’ve never been to therapy before, you might wonder what it looks like. Grief therapy is not about telling you to move on or pushing you toward closure. Instead, it creates a space where you can:

• Share your story in your own words, at your own pace

• Feel validated instead of judged or rushed

• Learn coping tools for the waves of grief, whether that means grounding exercises, journaling, or mindfulness

• Explore your emotions - sadness, anger, guilt, even relief, without shame

• Find meaning and connection with your loved one or your past life, while also building a path forward

At Authentic Living London, our therapists approach grief with empathy and curiosity. We walk alongside you, not ahead of you, and we believe that when people feel truly understood, shame and isolation begin to lift.

Why People Don’t Think of Therapy for Grief

It’s common for people to never even consider grief therapy. Here’s why:

• They think therapy is only for mental illness, not for a natural process like grief.

• They believe their grief isn’t “bad enough” to deserve help.

• They worry others will see therapy as a sign of weakness.

• They assume grief will go away on its own if they just wait long enough.

But therapy isn’t about labeling you or diagnosing you. It’s about support. It’s about having a place where you don’t have to pretend you’re okay when you’re not.

The Benefits of Grief Therapy

People who engage in grief therapy often describe feeling:

• Less alone in their experience

• More able to cope with daily life

• Better able to talk about their loved one or their loss

• Freer from guilt, shame, or anger

• More connected to themselves and their values

• Equipped with practical tools for managing difficult moments

While therapy can’t erase grief, it can make the weight easier to carry.

Choosing Grief Therapy in London Ontario

At Authentic Living London, grief therapy is at the heart of what we do. Our therapists are specifically trained in grief counselling and many also bring their own lived experiences of loss. We offer both in-person therapy in London Ontario and virtual therapy across Ontario, so you can choose the option that feels best for you.

We believe that every story of grief deserves to be heard and every person deserves support.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

If your grief feels too heavy, know that you don’t have to carry it by yourself. Grief therapy can be a place where your story is safe, your feelings are valid, and you are not alone.

Book a session with Authentic Living London today and take one step toward feeling supported in your grief.